Friday, February 25, 2011

"Dean, we must have a bad connection,every time I mention Brayden SchennI get discon... hello?"

It's been a busy lead up to the deadline for NHL general managers, who've already pulled off over a dozen trades including several blockbusters. Just as busy were the members of the hockey media who raced to break the news of each transaction as quickly as possible, often before a deal was officially done.

Fans may have noticed that these reports often allude to a deal being complete "pending a trade call with the league". The phrase brings to mind an intense conference call in which league officials grill the participants before grudgingly approving a deal.

But as it turns out, a trade call is simply a formality. And just like every other phone call you try to make these days, the entire thing is handled through an automated system.

Thanks to league sources, I got my hands on the top secret number and gave it a call. Here's a transcript of what I heard.

***

Thank you for calling the National Hockey League. For service in English, press 1. For service in French, press 2. For service in whatever language it is that Don Cherry is speaking, press 3.

If you are a GM calling to complain about a penalty, press 1.If you are a GM calling to complain about a suspension, press 2.If you are a GM calling to complain about a goal review, press 3.If you are a GM calling to complain about having nothing to complain about, press 4.If you are on owner calling to report that you have recently gone bankrupt, press 5.If you are calling about a trade, press 6.

You have pressed 6. You will now be connected to the NHL trade hotline. At any time, you may press 0 to speak to Darren Dreger.

If you are calling to complain about a trade your son's team just made, press 1.If you just realized you've accidentally traded for a good starting goaltender when you're trying to tank for the first overall pick and would like a mulligan, press 2.If you are calling to report a completely fictional "rumour" in a desperate attempt to trick stupid people into visiting your terrible web site, press e5.If you are calling to report a completed trade, press 9.

You have chosen to report a completed trade. Please note that we are currently experiencing higher than normal call volumes. If you are trading away a draft pick, please enter the round number now.

You have chosen to trade a first round draft pick. Is this pick lottery-protected in case you finish last? Press 1 for yes or 2 for no.

You have pressed 2 for no. Um, do you think that maybe you should rethink that? Press 1 for yes or 2 for no.

You have pressed 2 for no. Look, Brian, we've talked about this, wouldn't it make sense to at least ask if…

You have angrily mashed 2 for no.

Does your trade involve a player? Press 1 for yes, or 2 for no.

You have pressed 1 for yes. Please note that due to high demand, we have set up a dedicated hotline for teams trading away Ian White. Please call 1-800-IAN-B-GON for assistance. Operators are standing by 24 hours a day.

Please enter the line that the player plays on, and then his salary followed by the pound key.

You have indicated that you are trading for a third-liner who makes $5 million. Are you drunk? Press 1 for yes, or 2 for no.

You have pressed 2 for no. Please indicate why you are making this clearly terrible trade.

If you are trying to satisfy your idiot owner, press 1.If you are trying to satisfy your idiot fans, press 2.If you are trying to satisfy your idiot media, press 3.If you stopped caring once it became apparent that you're being fired at the end of the season and figure all of this will be the new guy's problem, press 4.For all of the above, press 5.

You have pressed 5. Your trade is ready for processing. In a few moments it will be finalized, and you may inform the players and announce the deal publicly.

One last thing: Did you remember to check and see if the player has a no-trade clause? Press 1 for yes, or 2 for no.

You have drop-kicked your phone out an open window. Thank you for calling the NHL trading hotline. Good bye.

Haha, you're imaginative and pretty funny :)As a Habs fan, I should do our version with choices like :- If you want to trade a young promising asset for a former Hab now close to retirement, overpaid and whose body is beaten-up, please press 1- If you wish to ship a talented Belarusian for nothing in return so your fans can see his production explode elsewhere, please press 2.- If you're willing to acquire a pretty bad backup goalie to make sure your number one will feel loved and admired, please press 3Etc...

I am still PISSED that Carolina traded Ian White. He was the only D-man who played D. He was the only one who pinched the boards, stood up at the blue line, covered the other D-Bags on the play, and cleared out the garbage in front of the net. Which all helped Cam Ward out do to the fact he is the crappiest All-Star goalie ever!

...uhm the "complaining about your sons team making a trade" comment wasn't referring to Colin Campbell dude. It's actually my favourite line in this whole blog. It's Peter Stastny's opinion about the Avs sending Stewart and Shattenkirk to the Blues.

...uhm the "complaining about your sons team making a trade" comment wasn't referring to Colin Campbell dude. It's actually my favourite line in this whole blog. It's Peter Stastny's opinion about the Avs sending Stewart and Shattenkirk to the Blues.